With the Father’s day soon approaching (something one can’t miss thanks tothe million advertisement displays everywhere you look) I couldn’t help butthink back on my journey from a daughter to a mother of two. And how despitegetting older and wiser, I was still a daddy’s girl at heart! My Dad’s approvalor his disapproval in many cases matters the most even today. And thinkingback, I can see, why that is the case.There is one photograph that’s adorns my bedroom wall at my parent’s house,that of my father carrying me on his shoulders while I am screaming in delight.I couldn’t have been more than 3 years old. But the memory is vivid in mind, asare so many others that I have shared with the main man of my life for a longtime! Of course ever since, there have been other men in my life, that is myhusband and now our son, but my Dad still holds a special spot, as my firstgo-to guy!

As a child while Mom was the nurturer of the family, and we couldn’t do athing without her, Dad, was the fun guy, and our hero (my sister and mine)! Hewas the one who turned lion one minute and chased us around the house, and thenchef the next, to whip up delicacies in the kitchen for our fussy appetites onweekends!But it wasn’t always fun and games, he was also the one who pushed me intochoosing a career when all I could think of was high heels and eye shadows! Andthank god for his coaxing! He was also the one who let me grow up and trustedme to have the good sense, that he had been imparting us with all his life,with every decision I made.

Today, when I look at my husband, I realize what they say about choosing alife partner who shares qualities similar to the ones your parents have, istrue! I swell with joy, when I see my husband and my son indulge in kung fufighting! Or the way he spends time with both our kids on weekends bathing themand playing cricket in the house or just having lunch together, the way Dadused to with us!While a mother’s role in nurturing a child is irreplaceable, an involved fathercan be just as important for the healthy development of the child. In factrecent reports even suggest that a strong father figure can be the cornerstoneof a child’s overall development. These studies also suggest that children, whoreceive love and attention from both parents, grow up to be more confident,cheerful and are less likely to fall prey to peer pressure of the wrong kind.

For decades, Moms stayed home with their children while Dads were awayworking. However, as the times change, the traditional father’s role, too, hasevolved. He is no longer just the bread winner of the family, but also activelyinvolved in child care and thus all decisions related to the child’s life. Heis as much a confidant and friend as he is a guide and a disciplinarian. He isas involved in the child’s happiness as the mother is!

So, if for some reason, you are not as involved with your children as youwould like to be, then as a gift for this Father’s Day I would like to share acheat sheet of things that every father must do with his child (at least once amonth if not more often), in order to forge an everlasting bond, and to live upto the pedestal your children have already placed you on! Here goes:• Involve yourself in their daily routine: Do this by giving a bath, feedinglunch/dinner or even reading a bedtime story to your child as often as you can.You will be amazed at how much your child knows and the kind of things he/shetalks about.• Share a hobby: It may be anything, from sports to music to reading, justshare one of your passions with your child and spend time helping him/herdevelop the same, chances are he/she will be as interested as you are in thehobby(considering the same genetic code)• Take them for an outing alone: This can be a weekend camping trip or even asimple trip to the movie hall. The key is to spend time with your childone-on-one without the moms (who will also thank you for being a great husbandand giving them a much required break)• Take interest: We know it’s tempting to slouch in front of the televisionafter a long day at work, but attempt to spend at least half an hour with yourchild once you are home, just finding out about his/her day. You will be amazedhow being with your child can be a better stress-buster than television!• Goof around: While it’s alright to be the serious and responsible figure inyour child’s life most of the time, do let your hair down and let your childsee the lighter side of you every now and then. Just cook up a storm in thekitchen with him/her, or water the plants together while hosing each other downor just wrestle in the bed over a pillow fighting match. Basically, play yourchild’s friend every once in a while. It can go miles in winning his/her trust.

With all these tips under your belt, you will discover that it isn’t justyour child, but you who has received the most precious gift of all.Unforgettable memories that will provide a lifetime of happiness! On that note,I would like to wish all the dads out there a very Happy Father’s Day, and awonderful journey of fatherhood! I do hope you will do one or all of the thingsI have recommended. And I would certainly love to know if there is more you dowith your child – so I can coax my husband to do the same! Happy Father’s Dayonce again!

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